We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
As a kid, I was most definitely not a fan of The Rolling Stones. They were scary hippies making loud music. Eventually, I became a follower of Led Zeppelin, then a punk rock fan by the time I was midway through high school. Devo's version of Satisfactionappealed more to me than Mick's. Sometime around my senior year of high school, I started to gain an appreciation for them, and by beginning of sophomore year of college I attended a concert at Rich Stadium on September 27, 1981. At this point, they were already 19 years into their campaign for great rock and roll. Little did I know at the time I was as old as the band itself. Mick Jagger was 38, which meant he was likely to retire for good within 2 years. After all, he already made it clear he didn't want to be singing Satisfaction when he was 40. I felt lucky to have seen them when I did, on perhaps one of their last tours.
Of course, they played for many years afterward. Bill Wyman retired in 1993. Charlie Watts died in 2021. Brian Jones, the founder, died of a drug overdose shortly after leaving the band in 1969. Despite all this, The Rolling Stones have continued. This was their 60th year, playing concerts delayed by Covid.
Imagine my surprise, as I walked the dog one morning in April, to get a text from Mrs. Bulldog asking "Rolling Stones in Stockholm this summer?" She wanted to see them in Paris, but we didn't have time to do a mid-week trip. Also, Stockholm was supposed to be the last stop on the tour - why not go to possibly their last show ever? How could I say no? Of course you go see The Rolling Stones in Stockholm. Is that even worthy of consideration?
Perhaps it is. Upon hearing our plans, my father said "I'll take a pass." But he'll be 87 soon. My stepmother was impressed, as were most of my friends, that I was willing to travel so far to see a concert. Why not? What's so weird about that? I get to see Stockholm and The Rolling Stones.
Took Mrs. Bulldog to see Billy Joel as part of his Madison Square Garden residency. He announced how many shows he'd done there, I think it was 182. Not bad. He called himself "the house band." I have a feeling he is.
I had an opportunity to see him when I was 15. 1977, just after The Stranger was released. Some family dynamics prevented me attending and after that, I guess I just never cared enough to go see him, or didn't have the money. Billy Joel, today, is a NYC/NY State cultural icon. He may well be the MSG "house band" and that showed during the concert. The crowd was engaged, active and enjoyed every minute. I found myself singing along to songs I didn't even realize I remembered, and most weren't even singles, just album tracks.
It was a great show and I'm glad I finally saw him, even if his voice isn't what it once was (he admitted to missing the higher notes).
We all got a big kick out of seeing Bob and his band this week down in Westchester.
He sounded good, growly but good. Looked a bit frail at 80. Somebody needs to feed him some pumpkin pie or a Big Mac and fries.
He was on piano. Very tight band. Delighted, happy sold-out crowd - all ages. Played half rockers, half ballads. As typical for him, the arrangements always change. Played Masterpiece, Gotta Serve Somebody, I Contain Multitudes, lots more, and closed with Every Grain of Sand which makes me cry every time. Thanks for that, Bob, and for keeping keepin' on.
"I took my potatoes down to be mashed and headed on over to the million dollar bash."
I think Dylan did this one on of the original Basement Tapes in 1967. Those were fun, often silly tunes if you can find them anywhere (not the produced ones, the original ones). Some feel this tune was making fun of Andy Warhol, but it doesn't matter.
Bob Dylan even claimed that ‘Norwegian Wood’ was so similar to his style that he even made a parody of the song called ‘Fourth Time Around’ which appeared to deliberately mock John Lennon. Listening to Rubber Soul, Dylan replied: “What is this? It’s me, Bob. [John’s] doing me! Even Sonny & Cher are doing me, but, fucking hell, I invented it.”
Bob has inspired many. By the way, Rubber Soul is still a good record.
In our part of the US Northeast, we have these seasons of recreation:
Winter:
- doing exciting things in NYC or Boston, cultural stuff or sports-watching - skiing if you can afford it - hiking if not too icy, or snow-shoeing - Paddle tennis - sweat when it's 10 degrees F, at night under lights - Deer hunting if you can stand the boredom ( I can not, but I like to eat them)
Spring:
- Planning or planting the damn gardens - why do we bother? - Fly fishing - Turkey hunting - Hikes
Summer:
- Boating, and saltwater fishing - Presidential Range hikes, with bugs - Weeding the f-ing gardens - Vacations on salt water or in the mountains, with swims - mowing the meadows in August - Outdoor tennis - just a wonderful joy - Skeet, trap, and clays - to get back into it
Fall:
- bird hunting, duck hunting - best time for mountain hiking - Fox hunting - for needed insane adrenaline - best time for Euroland trips - chain saw fun, and stocking up on firewood
Year-round
- horse-riding, indoors or out - Tennis, indoors or out
With a world-wide readership, what do you like? Or do you live in a place without seasons?
1994's "Dignity." I like the pounding rock version, but all I can find now is this rehearsal version for the MTV Unplugged recording.
I went down where the vultures feed I would’ve gone deeper, but there wasn’t any need Heard the tongues of angels and the tongues of men Wasn’t any difference to me...
Some great songs have an inevitability to them, as if they were not constructed but just discovered. The unforgettable lyrics here.
"Bob Dylan in 2018 demands that you be in the moment. If you go with him, you will experience 120 minutes as intense and rewarding as any Dylan-trip you ever went on as a teenager — when you first discovered the magic of his eternal poetry and his American exceptionalism..."
All the early Roman kings In their sharkskin suits Bow ties and buttons High top boots Drivin' the spikes in Blazin' the rails Nailed in their coffins In top hats and tails
Fly away, little bird Fly away, flap your wings Fly by night Like the early Roman kings
Bob in Waterbury (CT) last night. Beautiful new arrangements, the most mellow I've ever heard him live in 2 decades. Thoughtful on the piano.... just sharing these heartbreaking stories with us. Set list below.
Things Have Changed It Ain't Me Babe Highway 61 Simple Twist of Fate Cry Awhile When I Paint My Masterpiece Honest With Me Tryin' To Get To Heaven Scarlet Town Pay in Blood Make You Feel My Love Like a Rolling Stone Early Roman Kings Don't Think Twice, It's Alright Love Sick Thunder on the Mountain Soon After Midnight Gotta Serve Somebody All Along the Watchtower Blowin in the Wind
Bob does not shortchange you with songs in his almost nightly performances, even at age 77 or whatever. Here's part of a 4 year-old performance of his haunted Scarlet Town. "The seven wonders of the world are here" - genius - those wonders are everywhere:
Dylan never recorded this little ditty commercially. My guess is that he filled his sweet little tune with nonsense verse (as he has been known to do) until some good lyrics might emerge. Evidently, they did not.
There is no youtube for it, but this guy covered the tune.
A practice version of Idiot Wind from 1974. Final lyrics of this tough, pained song still evolving in this tape. He was not happy when Sarah dumped him and his kids to run off with some con-man. Doubt he ever really got over that.
"Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth..."
I got the pork chops, she got the pie She ain't no angel and neither am I Shame on your greed, shame on your wicked schemes I'll say this, I don't give a damn about your dreams...
From a bunch of articulate Dylan-appreciators at NR. "Following our trip through the music of The Beatles, we decide to tackle an artist who is just as important and influential, but with a discography roughly four times as long. What could go wrong? In this part one of three, we tackle Dylan’s career from Bob Dylan (1961) through John Wesley Harding (1967), one of the most prolific and successful periods of any artist in history."
As a kid, I was most definitely not a fan of The Rolling Stones. They were scary hippies making loud music. Eventually, I became a follower of Led Zeppelin, then a punk rock fan by the time I was midway through high school. 
In our part of the US Northeast, we have these seasons of recreation:
